July 28, 2020 marked the final episode in Dr. Jim White’s Critical Thinking series. The 12 part series has covered various topics on the subject of critical thinking in an effort to provide viewers with content that will aid them personally and professionally. Dr. White began the episode on Tuesday by thanking his followers for their participation and feedback, adding that he would be reviewing questions toward the end of the episode. Though July 28 was the final episode of the 20 part Opportunity Investing series, White will be back on August 11 with a new series titled Healing America with Dr. Jim White.
To begin Tuesday’s lecture, White began with a lightning round of lessons learned throughout the series:
- …Critical thinking has many components, one of which is having an open mind.
- Linear thinking helps critical thinking
- Logical thinking is a systematic process that helps us draw conclusions.
- Critical thinkers require many characteristics to be effective – curiosity, humility, discipline, objectivity, self-awareness, and active listening.
- Methods critical thinkers use to evaluate information. Ex, asking clarifying questions and SWOT analysis.
- Benefits of critical thinking- ability to become more persuasive, ability to communicate better, problem solving, increased emotional intelligence.
Dr White’s fifth book, Broken America, will be released around Labor Day, just in time for our critical election season.
Dr. White took a moment to reiterate his displeasure with political leaders on both sides during the COVID-19 pandemic. He encouraged listeners to both wear a mask and to recognize that regardless of what you identify as politically, you are an American first. White related critical thinking to the pandemic, noting that critical thinking requires identifying inconsistencies, like those present in the White House, by US governors, and by conspiracy theorists.
Dr. White then answered 11 questions that had been sent in by his viewers.
Q: You mentioned in one of your webinars that we should listen to the information before we jump to conclusions, what if there are some non-verbal signs that contradict the verbal information received? IE body language and facial expressions?
A: When that occurs, you have to ask questions, probe. Trust the body language and drill down further. Trust your instincts.
Q: How do you use critical thinking during Covid-19?
A: Use all your instincts and questioning skills, including intuition, and all the skills laid out last week. Practice, be aware, let it become natural. Now is the time to practice.
Q: How to improve critical thinking skills?
A: Practice, practice, practice. Download the series and get a library together.
Q: How critical thinking can help develop resilience amidst the covid-19 pandemic?
A: Covid has provided us with isolation, fear, unemployment, and stress. You’ve got to be able to retain confidence and ask questions and be proactive. Realize that it’s not over, companies are hiring right now so do your research and submit your resumes.
Q: How to develop critical thinking in children?
A: Start at the beginning. Teach them how to ask questions, identify inconsistencies, and ask follow up questions.
Q: How can critical thinking be achieved if one of more of its components is problematic?
A: Understand which component is problematic. To do that, use your ability to ask questions, like clarifying and follow up questions.
Q: How can we analyze critical thinking in children with developmental difficulties?
A: White recommends consulting a children’s therapist for the answer to this question.
Q: Is categorical syllogism a part of critical thinking?
A: Yes, it is.
Q: Are there any fallacies in the reasoning? What is the difference between truth and fact?
A: Yes, there are always some fallacies, and there is the process of uncovering those through asking questions. Facts are something you can prove indisputably. The truths are facts as you know them.
Q: How to think critically?
A: Go back and review the series, including the webinar videos and blog content. Start practicing and asking questions.
Q: How can we help ourselves as educators to examine our critical thinking skills?
A: Go back and review the materials. Understand the sequence and how to approach it.
White then reviewed ten suggestions from viewers for future episode topics, noting that these suggestions give him a framework to see what you’d like to see in the future, and which guests to host on the show.
- Decision making
- Teaching techniques during the covid pandemic
- Distance learning
- Creative minds for critical thinking
- Different platforms for online teaching and teaching strategies
- Personality development through effective public speaking
- Online opportunities and the new normal
- Anthropologists and linguistics
- The effect of social media on our behavior
- Metacognitive strategies in teaching blended learning
After a 2-week break Dr. White’s new series Healing America with Dr. Jim White, which is based off his forthcoming book, The Broken America: The Ten Guiding Principles to Restoring America will start back on August 11.
